Uber, in collaboration with the Chinese autonomous vehicle firm WeRide, has officially launched its robotaxi services in Dubai, operating without a human safety operator. This initiative marks a significant step in the expansion of autonomous mobility across the Middle East.
Customers can now conveniently book these driverless vehicles through the Uber app, with services available in key commercial and industrial zones such as Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Investment Park Second, and Jabal Ali Industrial First, along with suburban areas and the bustling maritime hub of Al Hamriya Port. The local operations are managed by Tawasul, a prominent mobility and fleet operator in the UAE.
The introduction of robotaxis follows a pilot program initiated in December, where rides were complimentary and included a human safety operator. Recently, the Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai granted a trial permit for driverless vehicles, enabling this new phase of operations.
This rollout signifies a notable advancement in WeRide's regional robotaxi initiatives and coincides with Uber's increased investment in the company, now holding a 5.82% stake valued at approximately $400 million based on WeRide's latest stock performance, as reported in filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Sarfraz Maredia, Uber's global head of autonomous mobility and delivery, emphasized the importance of this development, stating, "Bringing fully driverless vehicles to Dubai is an important milestone in making autonomous mobility a global reality. This launch underscores our deep commitment to the UAE and our vision for a hybrid world, where drivers and AVs operate side-by-side."
In May 2025, Uber made a significant investment of $100 million into WeRide, aiming to expand their commercial robotaxi services to an additional 15 cities over the next five years, including locations in Europe. This partnership allows WeRide's robotaxi services to be accessed through the Uber app, reminiscent of Uber's collaboration with Waymo, where Uber manages network routing and fleet operations while WeRide focuses on the autonomous vehicle technology.
As the autonomous vehicle landscape continues to evolve, this partnership could pave the way for a future where driverless transportation becomes a standard mode of mobility, enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of urban transport systems.